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Derrick Pouliot wins Canadian Hockey League Defenseman of the Year

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Derrick Pouliot of Portland, shown here in action against Curtis Lazar of the Edmonton Oil Kings in game 3 of the WHL finals, became the first Winterhawk to win the CHL Defenseman of the Year award.
(Shaughn Butts /Edmonton Journal )

Portland Winterhawks defenseman Derrick Pouliot has been named the Canadian Hockey League Defenseman of the Year, becoming the first Winterhawk player to win the award.

The CHL encompasses the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Pouliot is the first WHL player to win the award since 2009, and comes a month after he won the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as the WHL Defenseman of the Year.

Pouliot registered 70 points (17 goals, 53 assists) in 58 regular season games during the 2013-14 season, then ranked third on the team and in the WHL with 32 points in 21 playoff games. In addition to winning the CHL and WHL Defenseman of the Year Awards, he was named to the WHL's Western Conference First All-Star Team, and represented Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship.

"Winning the CHL Defenseman of the Year Award is an incredible way for Derrick to cap his junior career," said Portland Winterhawks General Manager & Head Coach Mike Johnston. "He's won a championship, set franchise records and competed internationally. Derrick will go down as one of the great players to wear a Winterhawks uniform."

Pouliot was the eighth overall pick of the 2012 NHL Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the first overall pick of the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft by the Winterhawks.

In 247 career regular season games Pouliot totaled 42 goals and 163 assists for 205 points, tying him for fifth in franchise history among defensemen. He also holds franchise records for career playoff games (85), career playoff assists (60) and career playoff points from a defenseman (73).

Pouliot was a member of each of the four straight conference championship teams and the 2013 WHL title winner.